What do you tell new shooters/gun owners looking for their first handgun?

[Majic]

I always suggest the .22lr because no matter their intended purpose of owning a handgun, it will do them no good untill they can actually hit the intended target at will, under all circumstances. That can be learned much quicker with a .22lr.
As a new shooter has no idea of shooting, they have no real basis for their opinions.
Those who want to run before they learn to walk fall on their faces quite a bit at first.

 

[a random jerk]

A lot of good advice here.

One thing I would like to add is that many women looking for their first gun are shepherded towards smaller, "less intimidating" offerings. And inevitably, those "little Berettas" come into the picture. In my experience, getting a first-time gun owner one of those Berettas (21A .25auto comes to mind) with barrel-mounting is a major mistake.

We made that mistake by getting one of those for my mother. Damn thing jammed so many times (and she could never figure out how to unjam the thing), and was such a hassle to use, that we eventually had to ditch it. It's one thing to get a first-time gun owner over their fear of "hand cannons," but we've learned the hard way that you can do it without getting him/her a chronic jam-fiend with a strange loading mechanism.

 

[RealGun]

If actually asked

I have enough different guns to offer in a trial shoot. Most of all I assure that recoil is no problem once acclimated to it. It is always a factor though, in that a gun of serious caliber will be nasty to shoot with a very short barrel, and that bullet weight can tame that a bit. That "nasty" gun can be just the ticket for CQB but will not be much fun to practice with for the typical shooter. One would need to work up to it rather than start with it and be really put off.

Starting with a .22 makes a lot of sense and can be a permanent asset for inexpensively honing shooting skills, especially basic trigger pull and targeting precision. Getting really interested in the "perfect" gun is a money pit, so it is hard to say what first gun will be the last.

Given extensive experience with a rifle and a shotgun, my first handgun was a cheap .22 revolver that I found worthless. That was followed by a full sized 1911 for target shooting. CCW came later along with a specialized gun.

What I hate is a 12 gauge shotgun. No doubt it is a favorite of many, including my brother, who is bigger than I am. That's a serious hurt for me that I would use only if I had to. 16 gauge worked fine for me on pheasants and rabbits, but a self defense gun makes more sense as a 12, not a 20. But one has to shoot what they can handle without underestimating what that might be. First impressions are valid for about 50 rounds. You have to get into it to know what you really need. The idea is not to have to buy 6 guns before you find out.

Now, if trials of holsters and modes of carry were as inexpensive as shooting someone else's gun, that would be nice.

 

[raz-0]

Well first I ask them what they want to do with it.

Regardless of that answer, My first recommendation is that they get two pistols. A 22lr, and something appropriate for the answer previously given. When they ask why I tell them that 22 is cheap to prcitce with, and that if they find they don't take to shooting naturally, it will help cost to be much less of an issue in getting better.

Usually what they want is " a real gun". I tell them they need to at least hold guns to see what feels good and shouldn't think waht works for me will work for them, I will suggest some features. Namely, I suggest 9mm for cost and ease fo shooting, and if they won't listen to that I suggest .45ACP over magnums, .357sig, 40S&W as it's in my opinion the second easiest to shoot cartridge I'd use for self defense (my definition of "real gun"). I also suggest they get a full size gun with reasonable mass to it to keep perceived recoil from being bad.

I aslo usually recommend against 1911s as a first gun, becasue nice as they are, as they exist in this day and age can be a bit of a handfull maintanence wise for a new shooter.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

I suggest that they try any handgun that they can get their hands on. I also recommend that they read about different firearms, try the grips on different models etc.

Try an auto (22lr etc) try a revolver (22 etc) single action, double action etc.

Find out what they want it for. I try to encourage a new person to buy a quality firearm because if they are missing the target because the gun can't shoot good groups, then they won't have fun and practice. They also won't have to spend time doing malfunction drills instead of practicing.

The only new shooter that I've brought into the sport/culture is my wife.

I had a couple rifles but she found my SMLE 22lr bolt action heavy. So, we bought her a Ruger 77/22.

I had a pistol or two and got a Blackhawk. She wanted a cowboy gun too so we got her a Single Six. She could always use my other pistols if she wanted to use them so we avoided redundency.

That was fine until she liked my S&W 66-5 357 magnum. She liked 38 specials through it so we kept our eyes open for another 38 special or 357 magnum so that we could each shoot DA revolvers at the same time. We found a 686 for her that she likes a lot. It is very accurate and gives her the flexibility to shoot 38special and 357 magnum.

CCW I'd recommend a J frame S&W or Ruger SP101, or quality auto pistol.
HD S&W 66, 686 etc 4-6" barrel or quality auto pistol
General fun and skills development: Ruger Mk II w/adjustable sights or a S&W 617.

If someone wants a carry peice, I recommend getting something comparable in 22lr.

-Jim

 

[TheEgg]

(The following is NOT meant as a criticism of anyone that has posted on this thread -- it is just my opinion and my approach).

What do I say?

Don't buy anything until you learn the four rules, and at least rudimentary gun handling skills!

Nothing worries me more than the sight of a complete newbie walking out of a gun store with their brand new Glock/S&W/Ruger/Sig/Whatever clutched in their hands along with 2 boxes of ammo and no idea whatever what they are doing. And believe me, I have seen this exact scenario play out WAAAAY too many times, including sweeping everybody on the range, holes in the floor, the ceiling, lane dividers, etc. Fortunately, I have not yet seen anyone shot in this situation, but that is just pure luck.

I will offer to help them learn, or point them in the direction of more formal training, but I will not contribute to the above situation (shudder!!) by recommending a gun if they do not first get the minimum amount of safety training.

No one should take up a deadly weapon (and that is what a handgun is, lets not be shy about it) without having the proper training and mindset about what they are about to do.

Once the newbie has obtained the proper saftey training/mindset, I will be happy to BS with him all day about what is better, Glock Perfection, JMB the genius, German Precision, SA, DAO, DA/SA, revolver, semi-auto, etc. Until then leave me out.

Too many people seem to think that by watching a truckload of John Wu movies and then plunking down $500 at the gun store, they are prepared. They are not.

OK, rant over.

 

[raz-0]

What do I say? Don't buy anything until you learn the four rules, and at least rudimentary gun handling skills!

good point. What should I get usually is the question after I have taken someone shooting. If it isn't, the suggestion to try things on for size is usually accompanied by me taking them shooting. Both scenarios cover getting the 4 rules into them and other basics.

Just because it's a habit doesn't mean it's safe to leave the point out though. Just like demonstrating good habits, you can't gloss over the details.

 

[RealGun]

from The Egg:
"Once the newbie has obtained the proper saftey training/mindset,"

[RealGun]
I'm with you, but what is a good way to better ensure safety when you go to a range? Let's assume that passing a law is a bad idea. However, a sign off on reading those four rules at point of registration might have some effect. Yeah, I know. Registration is a bad law, yatta yatta. I agree.

A range orientation is good, but some ranges are unsupervised, like the National Park range not far from me. I am not above saying something if I don't feel safe, but it would be better to be able to make some assumptions about what people already understand. I always keep my eye on others shooting with me and will jump in if it seems like someone needs to make the call on clear to go down range. That's only necessary at the one crude range in the park. I have also commented once about finger on the trigger while turning away from the target to kibitz with someone behind. It was only a .22, you see.

 

[444]

I am often asked by people what they should buy for home defense. Actually the question usually is, what should I buy my wife for home defense ?
My first answer is always a shotgun, but I have never had anyone take me seriously. For some reason they believe that a handgun is the only answer. So, I tell them to get a Glock 17.
Of course at some point they always ask me why I don't carry a Glock 17 to which I answer that I don't like them which results in further explanation. I tell them that if I had never owned a handgun before and was going to buy one knowing what I know now it would be a Glock. But, I have owned handguns before and it isn't my preference although I do own one.
If it is someone I know well I become more direct and to the point. I suggest a shotgun, they poo poo the idea and I ask them why they asked me if they were not going to listen to my advice ?

I also try to make the point that having the gun without some kind of training is not a good idea and probably a waste of their money and time. This always goes in one ear and out the other.

 

[chrisb507]

I'm a complete newbie--and the place I am starting is with a NRA Basic Pistol class next weekend. Maybe after that, I'll be in a little better position to decide on a "first handgun." Of course, I'll use the "search" function here, too.

If there's one thing THR has taught me, it is that guns ain't toys, and proper training is essential.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

The Egg,
You're right about hte safety.

I suppose I should back track a little bit.

I tell a new person what the laws are in their state if I know them. If I don't know them, I point them in the right direction and or research the laws in their state.

Most of the states that I have dealt with, required a safety class and pistol permit etc etc.

I had thought that this thread was more of a 'hardware' issue than a 'software' (training, education, permitting etc).

-Jim

 

[TheEgg]

Eskimo Jim

I had thought that this thread was more of a 'hardware' issue than a 'software' (training, education, permitting etc).

Yes, you are likely correct, but it just pushed my button about training.

I had just come from the range and saw some VERRY unsafe practices, so I guess I was a little hyped up about the issue. (Complete newb at the outdoor range with his super tactical black blaster -- at 25 yards put a complete box of ammo into the ground, never coming close to the target. When finished shooting a mag full, would walk around behind the line with his pistol in his hand, finger on trigger. I undertook to gently 'educate' him some, hope it worked!)

 

[norielX]

Usually, I'll see what they're interested in getting and go over the pros and cons of the weapon they're choosing. We'll talk about the SA or DA/SA, or DAO options, and the caliber they want to shoot.

I tell them not to get a gun until they've had a chance to go out shooting with me and my .22 pistol (used to be a .22 taurus 9-shot revo, but now a Beretta Neos). After showing them how to shoot safely (Safety is big for me), I let them shoot in small groups of 3-5 shots at a time. If they're doing good, I'll let them shoot my 9mm or my .45 for a few rounds, and then it's back to the .22. I've got a pretty good selection of glocks and 1911's and revo's in .38/.357 all the way up to 10mm, .45 and .44 Mag. Funny, nobody ever wants to try out the .44 mag after I touch off a few rounds.

I tell people to go online and log in here, or in check out other websites dealing with whatever gun they're interested in. I stress that they should get the gun that fits them well in a caliber that they can control and enjoy shooting.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

The Egg,
Thank you for taking the time to educate the new shooter!! You definitely deserve an 'atta boy' for that. Safe shooters help our sport/interest.

-Jim

 

[Berg01]

The best advice you can give a person that is new to the handgunning sport is to first enroll in a good Basic Handgun Safety course. Let the experienced, NRA-certified instructor assess the person's tendancies in handling a firearm, and then render expert advice accordingly.